Throughout literary history, it’s been a constant theme that both good and evil can involve moral grey areas. Protagonists often have character flaws, while even bad guys have limits on violence. Heroes and villains can be complicated figures, and what better way to translate this to cheap cars than to pit an E38 BMW 7 Series against a Jaguar XKR convertible?
Yep, today’s matchup features one hero car and one villain car from the world’s longest-running franchise of spy films. Of course we’re talking about James Bond. More than that, both of them come from Pierce Brosnan’s time as Agent 007, a run that’s very much a love-it-or-hate-it proposition, while we’re on the subject of lines in the sand.
But first, let’s take a look at how The Bishop’s matchup of designer-branded Lincolns, one rocking Cartier and the other Givenchy, went.
Fair enough. That Town Car is absolutely mint, and likely the better buy given the Mark V’s not-quite-original status. Either way, phenomenal cruisers, but in case that’s not your bag, let’s pick up the pace with two icons from the Brosnan era.
2001 BMW 740iL — $14,595
Engine/drivetrain: 4.4-liter V8, five-speed automatic transmission.
Location: Springfield, Ill.
Odometer reading: 139,000 miles.
Operational status: Runs and drives.
While James Bond is known for flashy sets of wheels, in 1997’s “Tomorrow Never Dies”, the titular agent evades baddies in something borderline understated. This was the last 7 Series before Chris Bangle reinvented BMW’s styling language for the 21st century, and as a result, it’s a conservative, classically handsome design that’s aged as well as a tailored black suit. No wonder Bond drove one.
Now granted, Agent 007 helmed a V12-powered 750iL instead of this V8-powered 740iL, but a long-wheelbase 7 Series on M Parallels is about as close as you’ll get, given the lifecycle of depreciated German flagships. This one’s hung on long enough to be on the upswing, and it looks remarkably tidy for having 139,000 miles on the clock.
Mind you, heroes often have character flaws, and there is one boogeyman lurking in the background here. While the listing claims $10,000 worth of recent work, one thing not on the list is a timing system service. The M62TUB44 V8 in this car is known for fragile timing chain guides, and that’s not a fun job to tackle.
2000 Jaguar XKR — $9,500
Engine/drivetrain: Four-liter supercharged V8, five-speed automatic transmission.
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Odometer reading: 120,952 miles.
Operational status: Runs and drives.
On the other hand, maybe you find that being bad can feel pretty good. Maybe your idea of a good time is a cat-and-mouse chase through an ice hotel, like in “Die Another Day”. Well, good news, because an XKR convertible like Zao’s can now be bought on the cheap.
We’re talking about a ragtop slice of Cool Britannia, an era of optimistic cultural dominance. So what if some of the bones were borrowed from ’70s austerity? With a fresh, bold face and unforgettable views, the XKR really is lightning in a bottle. Hell, this generation of XK was good enough for two spy franchises, even if one had a more mocking tone.
While at least one of the XKRs used in the film featured a Ford 302 V8, this one boasts the correct four-liter supercharged V8, good for a stout 370 horsepower. It’s good enough to make this drop-top boogie, but it isn’t without faults. Like the engine in the 740iL, the four-liter in this Jag is known for timing chain guide wear, proving that protagonists and antagonists aren’t always dissimilar.
However, this villain could be rocking an armored core, with the listing claiming that the timing chain tensioners have been replaced, with the old parts reportedly available as proof. Sure, this XKR may have nearly 121,000 miles on the clock, but it seems to have been kept in decent shape over the past 24 years.
So, which side are you on? Do you sympathize with the anti-hero, or would you have more fun causing a little chaos to further your own ends?
(Photo credits: Craigslist Sellers)
The BMW looks to be in great shape, but if I am dealing with an old European car with the associated “ownership experience”, I’d rather have a convertible cruiser.
Wish the Jag wasn’t black on black…the worst possible color combo for this application…but it is also quite a bit cheaper and seems more squared away mechanically.
I’ve always liked the XKR
Pierce Brosnan was the Bond we deserved after suffering through Roger Moore for so long.. Also Jaaaaag!
Timothy Dalton would like to sweat a word with you.
Live and Let Die is the best Bond movie, but Pierce Brosnan was my favorite bond.
I don’t actually have anything against Timothy Dalton except that he was an odd choice for a Bond. Then again, a Scotsman and an Australian also had their turns, so what do I know?
Wait, did I remember them in the wrong order? I knew I was getting old, but damn.
Not really the wrong order; Timothy Dalton was only in two movies, The Living Daylights and A View to a Kill, neither of which was great. It’d be easy enough to skip over them even with good intentions.
I always thought Brosnan was smooth and handsome; it made more sense to me that women would be chasing him than his predecessors. But the three pillars of Bond (sex, violence, and cars) seem fated never to be quite in balance. Brosnan era Bond got me into BMWs, but even I can admit it makes no damn sense for a sexy English superspy.
The Dalton pics weren’t that bad. Yeah, I said it.
There were good villains and great cars. Consider the gorgeous AM V8 and faux “Vantage” Volante in “The Living Daylights”.
A View to a Kill had a sublime 62 Silver Cloud, but why ride, when you can be Walken? That’s right: The Continental himself played Bond foe, Max Zorin.
Honorable mention goes to “License to Kill,” which not only had a terrific dastardly duo of Robert Davi and Benicio Del Toro but also a Maserati Biturbo with equally dastardly reliability. The Brosnan films and cars reflected comparatively safe choices both in terms of casting and vehicles.
Jaaaag It just looks better sitting in the driveway when it’s not running.
They’re both pretty good cars, but my vote goes to the Jag for having more character. Were the prices flipped, I’d consider the BMW with it’s timing maintenance.
Not even close for me today – voted villain car without even going to the actual adds.
Last summer I purchased my first convertible, a black 2000 Jaguar XK8. It has its quirks, but it’s a blast to drive around in. Having its supercharged twin parked next to it out in the garage would be spectacular. My wife and I could show up in matching Jags to the next local cars and coffee. Maybe pick up some kind of matching animal-print sport-coats just to add to the fun.
I know where there’s another 2000 black XK8 convertible for not much more than the price difference between today’s offerings. If I were to buy this one, I might as well pick that one up for the daughter and have the whole family driving matching black Jaaaaaags!
I was fine with Brosman as Bond. His choice of cars (or rather Q’s) on the other hand… not so good.
It did hurt to see him go from driving the DB-5 to the Z3 for sure.
And not even a 6-cylinder Z3.
It did at least make me believe that the DB-5 was in fact his personal car, as he was at the time being evaluated for a return to active duty (an amazingly subtle callback to the last time we saw Bond in the Living Daylights), after which point he had to drive the government cars again.
License to Kill, not Living Daylights, but yes a good callback to the previous film since he, presumably, needed to be evaluated before being given back his license to kill.
Ha, you’re right of course – I think my preference between the two unconsciously crept in there!
I’m a sucker for a long wheelbase sled. I’ll take the Bimmer. There’s many Jags that have tempted me into ownership, this is not one of them.
I’ll take the Pussy Galore.
Alotta Fachina
Mona Lovzit
Went Jag for price and mtc history, honestly wish it were naturally aspirated though. I’m back at a point in life where 2 seats make sense again.
I liked Brosnan AS Bond, just not all the films. Goldeneye was a great return to form for the franchise but the subsequent films were a mixed bag. Too much Roger Moore era fantasy for me, although The Spy Who Loved Me is a GREAT Bond film. I loved the Craig era films and felt he was a good Bond as well.
#1 Connery #2 Craig #3 Brosnan
Brosnan was def. the first person shooter era Bond; his movies, esp after Goldeneye, had the feel of the new style of video game that had shot to popularity during that time.
I’m glad George Lazenby is getting, finally, a lot more appreciation for making what is perhaps one of the best overall films in the series. Really makes you wish he’d stuck around in the role.
I adore OHMSS – I would rank Lazenby higher if he made another film. He is my #4 with Moore at #5.
Dalton is #6 primarily because he seemed miserable as Bond. That is actually in character, per Fleming but a movie needs to have some joy. I feel Craig did a better balance of the inherent violence yet appearing genteel on the surface. His Casino Royale performance is the epitome of that. Only Connery in “From Russia With Love” exceeds that performance as Bond.
Brosnan had the suave but still dangerous down pat. Craig is more of a ruffian, which is actually more accurate to the Fleming novels.
Tangentially, I always liked Timothy Dalton as sort of a middle ground between all of that. Not saying he’s the best or anything like that, but I did appreciate that he kept Moore’s light touch while returning a little bit of Fleming’s thug-in-a-nice-suit vibe to the role.
I have always been of the opinion that Dalton was a great Bond who was unfortunately saddled with some really terrible movies.
No disagreement here. Each actor was saddled with the baggage of the film production. I still put Brosnan ahead because he seemed to be having some fun in the role. Dalton was too dour. He seemed miserable as Bond.
My problem with Brosnan is he was too pretty and I kept seeing Remington Steele and not Bond.
He’d have been a better Bond villain.
I prefer Moore, at least he was English.
I don’t hate Moore per se, but the films started getting a cheesy, fantastical vibe at this time. The earlier films were rooted in reality, then they sent Bond to space… His later films in the ’80s tried to return to reality but are only so so. I do like “For Your Eyes Only”, may be his second best. This was the Bond I grew up with.
I don’t see the Moore era as any more fantastical than the others. Connery’s films had plenty of credibility-stretching too.
Moore’s films suffered from a 1970’s copycat thing. LALD was all about Blaxploitation, MWTGG was all about Karate, and of course Moonraker was an obvious reaction to Star Wars. But all three touched on the real-world, New York did have a horrible heroin problem, the energy crisis of 1974 was a big deal, and the space shuttle actually went to space.
I agree they were of the time. I really like “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “For Your Eyes Only” as the best Moore era films.
$12,000 for an E38 740iL, even a late one, is only merited if it’s especially low-miles and if all the maintenance is up to date. That doesn’t appear to be the case, so I have to vote for the Jaguar. That said, I’m not that big a fan of the X100 XK8/XKR, but even if I were, I’d hold out for one with the redesigned 4.2 and 4.2 S/C engines (2003-2006 in these, and all the way through 2010 for other models), which are just about bulletproof.
I honestly wouldn’t want either but with my imaginary dollars I’ll take the BMW. That was my favorite 7 series. I’d prefer the 750 and it is on the expensive side but I don’t know if I could ever be a Jaaaaaaag man.
I think at least in part, one’s nationality can play into the choice. As an American, I totally love the Jag, esp. given that’s it older at this point; but were I British, I bet I might go BMW.
Well damn I just found out I’m British. Haha. Funnily enough I do enjoy British TV more than American TV so your logic makes sense.
I went back and forth on these two. I’m a BMW guy and an autobahn cruiser would be a nice addition. However at that age and price I’d want a V12 over a V8.
Now with the Jag would make a great toy. I love convertibles. The only problem here is I already have a convertible that makes a great toy. Do I really need another?
In the end I went with the Jag. How can you go wrong with sexy styling and a supercharger?
An old BMW vs an old Jaguar? Is walking an option?
I kid, I kid. The 7er is justly revered, handsome as all h*ck, and just a few hours from me, but … I cannot pull the trigger on an old BMW, especially at those prices.
As for the XK: I’ve always preferred the coupe over the drophead, but this one appears to have been well-loved and well-cared for. We’ll channel Stevie G and vote for the Shaguar.
Also, +1 to the owner for the license plate. Must be a lawyer.
Walking is not an option, it’s a factory installed feature.
I’m a huge fan of the E38, especially one with M Parallels, but no mention of the timing guide service, and that exhaust poking out makes me a bit nervous. Reluctant Jag vote today.
First of all, Pierce Brosnan was the best Bond after Sean Connery. I never warmed up to that blonde guy and I have no idea who’s going to play that role next but my vote goes to Peter Dinklage. He really rocked that white suit in Unfrosted and he has the appropriate amount of suaveness and does a decent British accent.
Now, assuming these are the bond cars and the BMW can be driven from the rear floorboards using an app on my phone that gets my vote.
OMG Dinklage as Bond would be AMAZING.
I would pay to see that film!!
Dinklage? So, he would be .007?
I actually thought that Timothy Dalton was a good Bond. His Bond was much more serious and a relief after years of Roger Moore silliness.
IMO, Brosnan was a knee jerk back to the Moore Bond business model after the Dalton movies didn’t do well.
PS – and Dalton drove an Aston….
I liked Dalton and Moore as well but Brosnan was my favorite. As a kid my mom liked Remington Steele and that character was basically a discount James Bond so it felt natural to me to see him in that role. Nothing against Craig but he just didn’t do it for me.
Jag. Price is right, convertible, and this was Ford era Jag, so I’m hoping/wishing that it might be juuuuuust a little more reliable, parts more available and less expensive.
See? Applying “Logic” to this equation…
Went in thinking I’d vote for the BMW, but the Jag won me over. I’m sure either would prove a regrettable decision
Same here. Being $5K cheaper it’s the lesser of regrettable decisions.
After being forced to look at my neighbor’s two silver, half assed running BMWs parked in front of my house the last 14 years, I have broken BMW fatigue…Like at a PTSD level.
Jag for the win based on principle only.
That BMW would normally be the pick, but for $14K no thanks. You can get decent ones for much less, even V12 models.
Not super thrilled to be taking the Jaguar, but it’s a better deal.
While I do enjoy a Jag, the E38 is probably my favorite BMW ever. Just everything about it is absolutely stunning, even the long wheelbase versions (which often look odd in other cars). I’ll take the BMW, please!
I’ve never cared for the styling of those Jags. They’re just … kinda derpy. But that gen 7-series still looks fan-freaking-tastic. You’re going to take an absolute beating maintaining either one of these things, so I might as well have the prettier one, which IMO is the German.
Is this the Jag that eventually turned into an Aston Martin when Jag didn’t think the chassis could be re-wrapped and evolved? Either way Jag all the way on this one.
Exactly right. After the XJ41/42 F-Type (which were a coupe and convertible, respectively, to replace the aging XJ-S) got canceled and Ford told Jaguar to just update the XJ-S…Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) presented a proposal to the Jaguar board. It consisted of using the XJ-S’ basic floorpan, but adapting it for the XJ41/42 suspension improvements. When the Jaguar board balked, TWR took the plans to another Ford property, Aston Martin, and that became the basis of the DB7. They also adapted the XJ41/42 bodywork.
After that, Jaguar relented and used essentially the same structure, and the X100 XK8 (1997-2006) was born. It was also the launching point for the new Jaguar DOHC AJ-V8, in place of the company’s heretofore customary I6 and V12 engines.
The Jag had me at the louvered hood. But I do hate the partial wood steering wheel. Just as bad as those colored dress shirts with a white collar
If the BMW had it’s timing service done or half the mileage, sold. Since it didn’t, and assuming both would need it, at 1/3 less money and as a cooler, more entertaining car, I’ll take the jaaaaaaag